Today, we're sitting down with two of the many people behind one of New York City's most beloved thrift institutions — Housing Works.
Housing Works is a mission-based organization born from the AIDS crisis, fighting for inclusive care, social justice, and an end to homelessness and the AIDS epidemic. Their thrift shops — nine locations across New York City, plus a bookstore café and online ecommerce shop — aren't just places to find incredible secondhand treasures. They're also the engine that funds life-saving services for New Yorkers, rooted in the belief that housing is healthcare.
Daniel Rodriguez has been with Housing Works for nearly two decades. As Director of Operations, he has helped shape the organization's thrift enterprise, and oversees its operation from the shop floors to the annual events to the online auction site, developing the way Housing Works prices, merchandises, and tells the story of the pieces that come through its doors.
Emily McKay is the Processing & Curation Manager which means she leads the Housing Works Processing and Distribution Center out in Long Island City — the behind-the-scenes warehouse hub where the majority of the organizations donations are sorted, curated, and transformed into the beautiful collections that stock the many city shops and headline the annual events. A former luxury consignment boutique owner who has earned her master's in fashion management at Parsons since her last time on this show, Emily brings a rare blend of expertise to the work of curating collections at scale.
On today's episode, we get to explore the magic of what it actually takes to run a thrift enterprise of this size — the stories that come through the donation bags, the philosophy behind their curation, the unique role Housing Works plays in the iconic NYC vintage scene, and the annual 'Best of Spring' event that's happening right now across Housing Works locations.
This one is for all of us who've ever believed that a great piece deserves another chapter.
Let's dive right in.
DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- [5:15] Daniel has been a part of the vintage and secondhand scene in New York since the late 90s — shopping at iconic spots like Screaming Mimi's, Cheap Jacks, Andy's Cheapies, Starstruck, and Rags-A-Go-Go.
- [8:25] He started at Housing Works as a manager of several of the thrift stores, eventually becoming senior merchandising manager and developing the organization's pricing philosophy and visual merchandising.
- [12:15] How Housing Works has grown since it was founded in response to the AIDS crisis — from a carriage house on 18th Street in 1992 to nine shops, a bookstore café, annual events, and an online shop.
- [17:00] How the resale boom changed how Housing Works approaches donations and sales strategy.
- [20:00] Emily McKaydescribes what it's like to walk into the PDC — the Processing and Distribution Center in Long Island City — and what her team does every day.
- [24:30] What it's like to curate donations at scale — developing material knowledge, sorting by gut instinct, and routing pieces to the right stores and events.
- [30:17] What shoppers can expect at Best of Spring this month.
- [36:20] Some of the most unique and historically significant collections that have come through Housing Works — including a Patti Smith art auction, an Andy Cohen Clubhouse event.
- [37:40] Emily reflects on how universally adored Housing Works is in New York City
- [42:30] Daniel and Emily share their personal favorite Housing Works finds.
EPISODE MENTIONS:
LET'S CONNECT:
SPECIAL THANKS:
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